Friday arrived with the smell of BBQ and the weight of a very long list. It was hard to believe that tomorrow was finally Grandpa's birthday party. We stayed up quite late the night before, making big batches of potato salad, chicken salad, and macaroni salad. Sleep did not come easily, as so many little details were running through our minds.
Today was the final push before the celebration. There was still BBQ pork and chicken to prepare, two pans of macaroni and cheese to bake, and a special gluten free cake for Aunt Brenda. Between the cooking and the cleaning, the house felt like a beehive of activity.
Even though the kitchen was calling, the flock always comes first. We headed outside to start the morning rounds, grateful for the quiet moments before the phone started ringing for the day.
The Mystery of the Vanishing Water
We started at Haven's Coop, where the chickens came flying toward us with a lot of excitement. They seemed very pleased to be the first ones visited today. "Oh, King is not going to like this," we laughed, knowing how much our lead rooster enjoys being the center of attention.
As we looked around, we noticed something very strange. The waterer was completely empty. Again. Grandpa had just fixed it, and there were no puddles or signs of a leak anywhere.
Mama Georgia, who has been faithfully sitting on her eggs, marched over and let out the most offended squawk we had heard all morning. She stared at that empty waterer as if we had personally forgotten her breakfast. We quickly filled it up, and the sound of thirsty chickens drinking was a sweet reminder of why we do this every day.
The Heavy Trio Strikes Again
Over at Mimi's Coop, we found a bit of a mess. The roost that Grandpa had recently repaired was down on the ground again. King, Prince, and Henrietta were standing right next to it, looking as innocent as possible.
We weren't convinced by their quiet act. "You three are definitely putting on weight," we told them. King simply blinked, while Henrietta walked away like she had never even seen a roost before. It is clear that our farm fresh eggs come from some very well-fed and sturdy birds.
Adventures in the High Grass
The House of Joy lived up to its name as the flock burst outside, running and hopping toward the woods. In Mercy Coop, the chickens headed straight for the tall grass. Blackie and Big Red were especially enjoying themselves, disappearing so deep into the greenery that we could barely see their feathers.
It is such a joy to watch them forage and play. We believe that pasture raised eggs are special because our hens have the freedom to follow their instincts. Whether they are hunting for bugs or just hiding in the grass, they are living the life they were meant to live.
Supervisors in the Garage
Becky and Joey arrived early and went straight to work on the garage. Since the tables and chairs for the party were arriving later, everything needed to be swept, sorted, and organized. Panda Bear came out to act as the official supervisor, carefully inspecting every corner.
Milo, on the other hand, was feeling a bit rebellious. Every time we called him, he seemed determined to go the opposite way. After a few rounds of "catch the dog," Milo had to spend some quiet time in the bedroom to think about his choices. Panda Bear stayed outside, appearing quite pleased that he was the only dog left on duty.
The Heart of the Wellness Center
Later that afternoon, it was time to check on Bootsy. We carried her onto the back porch to work on her foot while Aunt Sue sat nearby. Removing the bandages was difficult, and seeing the infection was even harder, but we knew Bootsy was counting on us to help her heal.
When the source of the infection finally came free, it was a moment of both relief and hope. Bootsy sat so still, trusting us to take care of her. She is staying in our indoor "wellness center" for now, where she can get the extra care and clean bedding she needs to recover fully.
In a day full of cooking, cleaning, and party preparations, this felt like the real work in front of us. Sometimes caring for one life is more important than finishing one more task.
We are already dreaming of building a larger, dedicated wellness area someday. It is part of our commitment to stewardship, making sure every bird in our care feels safe and loved, especially when they are hurting.
A Tiny Moment of Peace
In the middle of the rush, one tiny Brahma chick decided she needed a nap. She chirped and chirped until we finally picked her up. She immediately scrambled up and nestled herself right beneath our chin, settling comfortably against our neck.
Within moments, her eyes were closed and she was fast asleep. For a few minutes, the cooking and the party planning didn't matter. We just stood there, breathing in the quiet and holding that small life. It was exactly the reset we needed to finish the day.
Too Many Chickens?
Aunt Sue, who traveled all the way from Texas to help, spent the afternoon touring the coops with us. She stood quietly for a moment, looking at all the different flocks, from the Seramas to the Silkies.
"Well," she finally said with a smile, "I know what's wrong with you. You have entirely too many chickens." We couldn't help but grin back at her. It might be true, but we still find ourselves wanting just a few more. There is something so rewarding about providing local eggs to our neighbors and friends.
As the sun began to set, the farm grew quiet. Every chicken was tucked in, the tables and chairs were ready, and the food for the party was nearly finished. Tomorrow will be a busy day full of family and celebration, and we are so grateful for the help that made it all possible.
God has been so good to us, providing the strength we need for each task and the joy found in a tiny chick's nap. We are looking forward to celebrating Grandpa and sharing the beauty of this farm with the people we love.
"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." ( Galatians 6:9)
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